Foldable umbrella.



No. 885,602. PATBNTBD APR. 21, 1908.

W. J. GBIB. l FOLDABLE UMBRELLA. APPLICATION I'ILIEIDl APB. 28,1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

gnou/ton fa/"fafa Jz @d2/mab PATENTED APR. 21, 1908.

No. 885,602. 1 W J GEIB y FOLDABLE UMBRELLA.

APPLIOATION FILED A`1=B.ze,19o.

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` PATENTBD APR. 21, 190s,

W. J. GEIB. FOLDABLE UMBRELLA. APPLIUATION FILED APB. 26,1907.

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Wit" moco' arms/w13 WARREN J. GEIB, OFBOONEVLLE, MISSISSIPPI.

FQLDABLE Applicationled April 26 Specification of Letters Patent.

, 1907. serial Nq. 370,468."

UMBRELLA.

Patented April 21 1908.

I To all whom it may con cern:

Be it known that l, WARREN J. GEIB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Booneville, in the county ol Prentiss and State of Mississippi, have invented new and useful Improvements in Foldable Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesl to an umbrella of that type which is adapted to open and close in the usual manner for ordinary use, and which is capable of being folded into a compact space so thatit can be conveniently carried in the hand when not in use, or packed in ax trunk or grip.

The invention has tor one of its objects to improve andsimplify the construction and operation ol" devices of this character so as to be comparatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, 'readily manipulated, and thoroughly reliable and ellicient in use.

A further object ol' the invention is the provision of an umbrella having a handle rod of teleseoping sections, a loldable handle at one end 'of the rod,`and a foldable tip at the other.

A further object is to provide a plurality of ribs each composed of telesco ping sections and provided with brace rods for holding the ribsinopen position and locking rods for preventing the sections of the. ribs from telescoping when the umbrella is opened.

A still further object is the employment of a simple locking means for holding the sections of the handle rod locked open.

Vith these objects in view and others, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement ol' parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set iorth. with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

Vln the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one ol" the embodiments ol' the invention, 1Figure 1 is a h'mgitudinal view partly in section of the umbrella with the loldable parts in open position andy the ribs closed, the silk or cloth cover ol the umbrella heilig rcmoved. Fig. Z is a similar view showing the umbrella completely folded. Fig. 3 is a lon. gitudinal section of the lower member or section ol' the handle rod. Fig. 4 is a side eleva tion partl)T in section of the upper member or section of the handle rod. Fig.. 5 is a detail sectional view of the foldable connection between the handle proper and handle' rod. Figs. 6 and 7 are two diflerent views of one of the top sections of a rib. FigxA is a frag- 'nrentary side elevation of the two rib sections assembled. Figs. 9 and 10 are two different views of one ot the brace rods for the ribs.

of the locking rods for the ribs.. Figs. 13 and 14 are similar views of a locking and a brace rod assembled. Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevation of the rib sections in extended osition and the locking brace rods in norma position. Figs. .16 and 17 are ldetail views of the locking sleeves for the brace and locking rods. Fig. 18 is a section on line 18-*1 8, Fig.

17. Fig. 19 is a detail view of the up er end of the handle rod: and adjacent parts s owing between the ribs and the hinged connections collar. Fig. 20 is a plan view of the retaining ring or member engaging the upper ends of the ribs. Fig. 21 is a detail sectional view, showing the ilexible. connection between the handle rod and tip.

Similar' reference characters are employed F lgs'. 11 and 12 are two diil'erent views of one to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the. drawing, 1 designates the upper tubular metal section of the handle rod into which is adapted to telescope the lower metal tubular section 2, the upper sectionhav-- ing a longitudinal slot 3 in which engages a pin 4 on the upper end ol" the section 2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, whereby the two sections are permanently connected. In the upper end ot' the section 2 arev diametrically arranged locking bolts ends of the individual lea springs 6 suitably anchored within the section and arranged to normally hold the bolts in extended position, and connected. with the bolts is a pair oi' toggle links 7 that are adapted to be collapsed by a flexible element 8 Such as a wire extending downwardly through the hollow oi the. section 2 to a slidable linger-piece or actuator l) for the purpose of drawing the `bolts inwardly to unlocked position.- These bolts are adapted to engage in openings 10 at the lower end of the section 1, as shown in Fig. 4, andl the iinger-piece 9 is confined e The ends of the slots 12 limit the movementof the finger-piece 9 and serve to retain the latter in position. On the upper end of the l top section 1 is a stationary notched ring 14 5 that are attached to the free of ordinary construction to which the u p per sections of the ribs are hinged, and spaced a suitable distance below the ring a fixed collar ,thatserves to limit the outward movement of the sleeve to which the brace rods or" the ribs are attached during the outward or opening movement of the umbrella, and between the ring and collar l5 is a short lonp'ieg" tudinal .Slot 16, the function of which will hereinafter explained. The lower portion the section is of larger diameter Ythan the upper portion so that an annular shoulder l? is formed against which the bottom end oi the sect-ion l strikes to limit the inward telesco ing movement ot' the section 2, and Within tie latter section at this point is spring 18 suitably anchored therehrand havingf one end formed `into a latch 19 that moves hack and forth throught a slot 20 ini the section 2 that serves to hold the sleeve ol vthe brace rods in position when the umbrella is closed, as Will hereinafter more fully appear.

The handle 2l ol the umbrella, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 5, has a longitudinal socket at its inner end, and rigidly secured therein is a tubular member or housing 23 for the parts flexibly connecting the handle rtod and handle together. rlhese parts comprise a longi tudinally movable element or shaft 24 having a head 25 that is adapted to Vengage the .inner end ol' the cylindrical housing 23 when the handle` is 'pulled to the limit of its outward movement, thus preventing thehandle from detaehing, and between the inner end of the eleiiient 24 and bottom end `oi the handle rod section 2 is a link 26 hingedly connected respectively with the element and red section. lvl/hen the parts are in normal positionJ as shown in F 1g. l, the casing 23 surrounds the link 26 and adjacent parts of the attached members so as to prevent the joints from collapsincf, but when the handle is pulled outwardly, the easing nieves clear et the lowermost joint so that the link 26 can be folded laterally'to permit the handle to assume the position shovvn in Fig. 2.

ln the casing 23 is a slot 27 in which is adapted to engage a spring7 latch 28 iixcd on the lower end of the rod section 2, as shown in Fig. 5, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 thus lockingr the handle in fixed position. By pressing the latch inwardly, the handle can be pulled outwardly to the position shown in, Fig` 5 for folding the same. Thetip 29, of the upper end of the handle rod, is attached to the lattenby a flexible connection of substantially the same construction, and by reference to Figs.' 1, 2 and 21, it will he seen that the parts ol this flexible connection comprise a movable follower or member 3l) arranged in the top end ol the rod section l, and secured therein by a pin 3l engaging in the slot I6, Figs, and 2l, and between the tip 29 and member Il() is a link 32 yhich, when in the full line position shown in Fig. 2l, and which, when pulled l outwardly, can be swung` laterally to permit l the tip lto be folded, as shown in Fig. 2, it bemg1 prelerable to fold the tip of the same side i the handle of the un'ibrella, to' reduce the l Arranged in the upper end of the secl tion l is a latch 33 that engages in a slot 34 oi they tip to hold the latter from. moving longitudinally and lock the parts in fixed posig tion. ly pressing this latch inwardly, the I tip and attachcdparts can bc withdrawn to clear the link 32 from the'section l of the l od lorenabling the parts to beifolded, l

Esc i rib of thc umbrella is composed of telescoping upper and lower members or sections 35 and 36 shown in Figs. 6 and 7, detached from the umbrella. The upper section R5 is hollow for receiving the section 36 and has a longitudinal slot 37 for receiving the lug 38 on the section 36, es shown in Fig. @ne end of the section 35 is provided with an aperture 39 for receiving the wire for hingedly connectingr the umbrella ribs, to the notched collar 14 ot' the handle section 1 in the usual manne-Land at the opposite end are outwardly extending stops or lugs 40. The section 36, Which is of U-shaped crosssection is considerably more flexible than the upper section ol' the ribs so as to permit hold the silk or other covering taut. On the lower extremities ol the rib sections are eye lets 4]. for enabling the silk covering to be i stitched to the ribs, the covering being secured to the handle rod in the usual manner at its periphery anden a circle at a point intermediate the center and periphery of the covering. The brace rods 42, Figs. 9 and l0, are of lil-.shaped cross-section and each, at its inner end, has apertured cars 43 that engage over the apertured lug 38`ofits respective rib and are hinged thereto, the opposite end of the brace rod being hingedly connect-y ed. with the slidable sleeve that moves back and forth on thehandle rod duringI the openingl and closing of the umbrella. Arrangedl 'I lo enter the hollow part of the brace rod is a lockingv rod 44 shown more clearly in Figs. 11 and 12, which is bifurcated at 45 and provided withoppositely extending lugs 4G that are adapted to engage thestops 4() ol the adi jar-cnt upper ril) section $55, as shown clearly in Fig. l5. .At about the middle of the l locking rod 44 is a longitudinal slot 47 that has its ends oll'set so as to act as a cam, and through this slot extends a pin 48 secured to the adjacent rod so that longitudinal movement ol the locking rod will he accompanied by a lateral movement caused by the I slot and pin connection for vthrmving the lugs l5 out of or into engagement with theI l stops 44 during the folding and unfoldingA of the umbrella.

rlhe lower ends ol'y thc bruce rods 42, :is

the umbrella to open to the proper shape and reference to in a Common circle, as clearly show shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are hingedly connected with a sleeve 49 that is provided with a grooved and notched ring 50, as best shown inFigs. 16 and 17 for the reception ot' the wire for attaching the rods to ,the sleeve, as is the .usualcustonn The low'er ends ol'Y the locking rods are hingedly connected with a sleeve 51 that has a similar annularly grooved and notched ring 52 for receiving the wire to which the locking rods are attached. By Y Figs, 16 to 18,it will be observed that the sleeve 51 is slidably mounted on the sleeve 49, the latter sleeve being provided with three spaced longitudinal arms 53st its upperen that are disposed between correspondingly spaced arms 54 on the sleeve 51 and the latter arms are bent inwardly at 54 so that both sets of arms will be disposed n in Fig. 18. 'Secured to the arms 53 is a cup-shaped sleeve 53 to which the ring 50 is secured, and in this Jvsleeve 53 is a helical compression spring 56 whose upper end bears on the ring 52 .that is secured to the upper extremities of thel arms 54. The spring` 56 urges the sleeve 51 upwardly and maintains thelugs 46 positively in engagement with the stops 4() dtirn the opening and closing ol' the umbrella. he sleeve 49 has a longitiulinalslot for engaging the latch 19.

In order to open the umbrella, the latch 19 is pressedy inwardly so as to unlatch the sleeve '49 in the usual manner and permit the sleeves 49 and 51, to move as a unitary structure toward the ti end of the handle rod and as soon as the s ot 55 of the sleeve 49 registers with the latch 59, Fig. 4, the latter will spring into vthe slot and lock t-he arts of the umbrella in open position. .'lhe latch 59 is formed on a spring 60 disposed in a slot 61 of the handle rod section 1, the spring being so arranged as to permit the bottom section 2 l of the handlerod to freely telescope into the u per section. To close the um irella,d the latch 59 is disengaged and the sleeves 49 and 51 moved outward y toward the handle so as or colla sing to be engaged by the latch 19. lt will thus bese'en that the opening and closing ofthe umbrella is performed in the same manner common to ordinary umbrellas..

' In order to prevent the ribs ol the umbrella from swinging to open position during thefoldng operation, a ring 62 is slidably mounted on the upper section 1 of the umbrella rod and confined between the ring 14 and; collar 15, as shown in Fig. 19, the ring 62 lbeing provided with apertures 63, as shown in Fig. '20, which receive the upper Between the rings 14 and 62 isfa helical spring 64 that urges the from the ring 14, and thus mains of the umbrella in the dotted during the operation of lfolding the umbrella.

To e `ect the collapsing or folding tains the ri line position the l l l l sleeve 51 is gripped at the bead 57 by the thumb and lingers of one hand and pulled loutwardly toward the handle of the umbrella while the said handle is held in the other iand. rllhis movement olA the'sleeve pulls the locking rods 44 longi pins 4S engaging in th(` slots 47 of the brace rd cause the upper ends of the locking rods to move laterally to throw the lugs 46 out of the path of the stops 40. YVhiley the sleeve 51 is held in this position, the catch 19 is depressed and both sleeves 49 and 51 move together along the handle rod in a direction toward the tip ol the latter, thereby shifting the ribs and attached parts from 'the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2.

Allter thus telcscopiug the ribs, the ingerpiece 9 is drawn toward Ythe handle so as to release the locking bolt 5 'from the openings 10 to permit the rod sections to be telescoped by pushing inwardly on the two sections.

lhe tip and handle can then be folded m the manner already described. When the umbrella is completely lold'ed, as shown in Fig.

2, the covering collapses, as indicated at 65.

rl`he covering may be 'novided with a tapeA 66 having a clasp-like glove Vfastener lor hohling the ribs and covering folded together in the usual manner. A suitable casing may be .irovided for receiving the folded umbrella so that it can bc conveniently carried or packed away.

From the lforegoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the v method of o )eration will be readily apparent to those skilled in thc art to which the invention appcrtains, and while l have described the principle of operation of the invcntion, together with the apparatus which l now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, l desire to have it understood that the a )paratus shown is merely illustrative and tlhat such changes n'iay'be made when desired, as arc within the scope ol th(` claims.

Having thus described the invention, what l claim is 1. ln a foldable umbrella, the combination of a handle rod hollow at one end, a tip provided with a slot, a link, a slid-able member permanently retained,in the hollow ol the rod, a hinge between the member and link, a hinge between the link and tip, the link being of siichllcngth as to permit the 'tip to be folded back parallel with the handle rod, and a spring latch in thc handle rod adapted to extend into t ie tip and engage the slot thereof l'or holding the tip in extended position.

2. In a i'oldable umbrella, the combination of a handle rod, a handle provided with a socket, a tubular member secured inf the socket and extending from the handle, an clement in the socket movable longitudinally therein, a link, a hinged connection between the link and clement', ahinged connection spring catch for locking the handle rod to thc sleeve, the handle and sleeve being movable longitudinally from the rod to told backlatter when the lock- Wardly parallel with the ing device is released.

3. The combination ota rib composed of two telescoping sections, one section having a longitudinal slot, a lug on the other section l projecting out of thev slot, .a stop on thel slotted section, a brace rod pivotally .cont nected with the lug, a locking rod slidably mounted on the brace rod, means on the locking rod for engaging the said stop, and means for disengaging said means 'from the stop by movement of the locking rod independently of the brace rod.

4. In an umbrella, the combination oi a handle rod, a fixed ring thereon., ribs hingedly connected with the ring, a member'movably mounted on kthe handle rod and slidably engaging the ribs adjacent their hinged ends for holding the ribs close tothe handle rod when the umbrella is closed, and a spring on the handle rod and disposed between the i ring and member and designed to press the l member away from the ring, said spring being arranged with its ends bear-ing against the ring and-member- '5. In an umbrella, the combination of a handle rod, collapsible ribs connected therewith, brace rods connected with the ribs, locking rods connected with the brace rods, locking devices between the locking rods and A ribs, a runner on the handle rod provided with spaced arms, means for liingedly connecting the ribs to the runner, a sleeve slidably mounted on the runner and provided with arms engaging the arms of' the runner, means for connecting the locking rods with the sleeve, the arms oi the sleeve and runner preventing relative rotation, and a spring arranged between and acting on the runner and sleeve to hold the locking rod 'in locking position.

6. The combination ol a rib composed oll slidably connected sections, a stop on one of the sections, a brace rod 'ot' Tol-shaped cross section hingedly connected with the other section, a locking i'od proportioned to lie within the hollow of the brace rod, a member on one extremity of the locking rod for engaging the sto one ot' the rods being 'provided with a slbt having its ends relatively ofi'set, and a pin on the unslotted rod extending into the slot for disengaging the member of the locking rod from the said stop by longitudinal movement ol the locking bar.

7. In an umbrella, the cinnbination ol' a l handle rod composed ol'l tubulin' tclcscoping l sections having o )enings adapted to register, bolts in one of the sections, springs on the section having the bolts lor holding the lattei' in locking position and forming the solo l means for supporting the bolts, loggie links l 1 esiaeoe between the bolts to withdraw the latter from the openings against the tension of the springs, an actuating means on the section having the bolts, and a iexible connection between the means and toggle links.

8. 1n a foldable umbrella, the combination of ahandle rod, a fixed ring thereon, ribs hingedly connected with the ring, a fixed col- Vlar on the handle rod spaced inwardly from the ring, a slidable ring having apertures tl'irougli which the ribs extendand mounted on the handle rod to move betweenthelcollar and fixed ring, and a helical spring arranged on the handle rod with one end abutting the itixed ring and the other the slid able ring and tending to urge the latter toward the collar iorholdingthe ribs close to the handle rod. y

9. ln an umbrella, the combination of a two-part rib, a bracing rod, and a longitudinally and laterally movable locking rod forv holding the parts oi the rib against Arelative movement.

10. ln an umbrella, the combination of a rib composed of telescoping sections, a handle rod, independently movable devices movably mounted on the rod, a bracing rod between one of the devices and the rib, a longitudinally movable locking rod-between the other device and the ribs tor preventing the sections of the latter from telescoping, and means between the rods for throwin the locking rod laterally into and out of loc ing position by lthe longitudinally movement.

1]. In an umbrella, the combination of a hollow rib section, a section movable therein, a bracing rod, a hin ed connection between the bracing rib and t e niovablelsection, and a locking device exterior to the sections for controlling the relative movement of the rib sections, said device comprising an abutment on one section, and means carriedby the bracing rod and movable laterally thereon and away from the abutment to permit the sections to collapse. i

i2. ln an umbrella, the combination ol a hollow rib section, a second section moval'i-getherein, a brace rod hinvedly connectcdwitlr the second section, a loc ing rod mounted on the brace rod for independent movement, and an abutment on the iirst section .of the rib with Awhich the locking rod engages for preve-ntineV relativeI in tions, said locking rod being locked or unlocked bya combined lateral andlongitudinal movement.

13. ln an umbrella, the combination ol' a handle rod, members .mounted thereon for independent' and simultaneous movement, a s )ring acting on the memberslfor holding them in normal position, a plurality of telescoping ribs, brace ro'ds between one member and the ribs, laterally and longitudinallymova ble locking rods between the other member and ribs, a slot :md )in connection between each pair ol brace and locking rods for throwfi ement ol the rib secing theletter into and out of locking postlon by movement of one of the members.

14. ln am umbrella,1ho combination ol a rib composed of telesooping sections, s1 ops arranged on one of the sections, a brace rod hlngedly Connected with the other 5f ion, 'a looking member movably eonneeled lh the brace rod, means on the member lor engen; ing the stops lo hold the rib sections extend-- ed, zr device vl'or engaging :md disengngng the means by :n combined lateral und longitudinal movement 0l the member.

l5. In an umbrella, the con'xbinutfion of e rib von'rposed ol' teleseoping sections, n. stop l l l l l l l l .arranged on one or" the sections, :L brace rod hingedly connected with the other sect-ion, e looking` member, :L slotI and pin connection betwemr the member .and brace rod, and means on the extremity of the member arranged to engage the Stop Jfor holding the rib sections extended.

lln testimony whereof, I allx my in presence of two witnesses` 'WMKREN J. GEIB.

Signat/ure -\\""inesses:

CnAs. W. MANN, U. S. BENJAMIN. 

